Goldie Harvey dies after a sudden illness at the age of 31

Nigerian pop singer Susan Oluwabimpe “Goldie” Harvey, has died after a sudden illness, her manager says.

Her record label said Goldie Harvey, 31, had complained of a severe headache shortly after returning to Nigeria from the US where she had attended the music industry’s Grammy Awards.

Goldie Harvey was rushed to a hospital in Lagos, where she was pronounced dead.

The singer had won several industry awards and appeared in last year’s celebrity Big Brother Africa TV show.

The programme stirred controversy with some Nigerians who said Goldie Harvey did not portray the country’s culture in a positive light as she came across as too Western.

Others criticized the singer for her on-off romance with a fellow housemate, the Kenyan rapper Prezzo – but she remained hugely popular with young audiences.

A message posted on her Facebook page on Thursday evening said: “It is with heavy heart that I have to inform you all that Goldie passed this night shortly after arriving Lagos from LA. May her soul rest in the eternal peace of the Lord – Amin.”

Kenny Ogungbe, the head of her music label, Kennis Music, said she had “an abundance of talent” and it was a “gloomy moment” for Nigeria’s music industry.

Goldie Harvey was also enjoying popularity across Africa, he said in a statement.

Her three latest singles from a forthcoming album, African Invasion, were “presently enjoying heavy rotations on radio and TV stations across the continent”, Kenny Ogungbe said.

Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper reports that Prezzo was already on his way to Nigeria to visit Goldie Harvey on Thursday.